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Members of Congress, Tech Industry, and HBCUs Leaders Gather for Diversity in Tech Summit

July 24, 2019

Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. and the Congressional Bipartisan Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Caucus announced the start of the second annual Diversity in Tech Summit at Howard University in Washington, D.C.The Summit will convene 47 leading companies in the technology industry, 34 HBCUs, and the 94 Members of the HBCU Caucus.

The Diversity in Tech Summit is a dynamic, two-day event focused on how government, the tech sector and HBCUs can work together to ensure that HBCU graduates are prepared to spearhead emerging technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. HBCUs contribute more than 15 billion dollars to our annual economy, and graduate 42% of all African- American engineers, and 47% of all Black female engineers.

This year, the Caucus opened the Summit by celebrating the power of pipeline partnerships at Howard University's award-winning Math and Science Middle School. Caucus members were joined by D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, Dr. Wayne Frederick, President of Howard University, Dr. Katheryn Procope, Principal of Howard Middle School and Ron Myers of Advanced Micro Devices (AMD). AMD generously donated computers and virtual reality headsets to the school.

"There is no workplace diversity without HBCUs. Despite being historically underfunded and under-resourced, these institutions continue to produce top talent, including 40 percent of my colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus, and 50 percent of all Black professionals." said Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D., Founder and Co-Chair of the Bipartisan HBCU Caucus. "That is why the Diversity in Tech Summit is so important. HBCUs are key to creating pipelines that ensure a well-prepared, diverse workforce. We need to create strong partnerships between the tech industry and HBCUs to ensure equal access to 21st century opportunities for students of color."

"The full impact of HBCUs on our nation's history and future is difficult to measure. Through the Diversity in Tech Summit, we are bringing together stakeholders from the tech sector and HBCUs from across the country to highlight opportunities for our schools and their students," saidCongressman Bradley Byrne, Co-Chair of the Bipartisan HBCU Caucus.

"I'm proud to support the 2019 HBCU Diversity in Tech Summit as Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee. America's diversity is its greatest strength but, unfortunately, the technology sector's workforce doesn't currently reflect that diversity," said Congressman Frank Pallone, Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. "If our technology sector is going to continue to lead the world, it must create an inclusive workforce that builds products without discriminatory and harmful results. That's why I convened a hearing earlier this year to explore ways to help fix this systemic issue and will continue to advocate for providing greater resources for HBCUs and opportunities for HBCU students in our nation's technology sector."


"I have often said that diversity is not our problem, it is our promise. The Diversity in Tech Summit is the largest collaboration of government, industry, and HBCU leaders who are all coming to the table with this understanding," said Congressman Elijah E. Cummings, Chairman of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. "We must work across sectors to effectively and efficiently solve the most pressing problems facing communities of color and the nation as a whole. I look forward to working alongside Congresswoman Adams and others to further the mission of this summit as we work to create a well-prepared workforce that is inclusive and representative of the great diversity in our nation."

"HBCUs are a fundamental piece of our country's higher education system and have had a great impact on my own family, opening the door to my wife Kelly's success as a nurse practitioner," said Congressman Mark Walker, Vice-chair of the Bipartisan HBCU Caucus. "The Diversity in Tech Summit is building on the success of these distinguished institutions, bridging gaps and creating a pipeline for students to be innovators in the tech industry."

"When it comes to preparation in the 21st-century economy, our young people, especially girls and young people of color, must be prepared to innovate the future," said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. "I am excited to join with Congresswoman Alma Adams in igniting the power of partnerships between HBCUs, the technology industry, and policy leaders. We are committed to diversity and inclusion in talent recruitment and retention in the technology sector. We know that the tech sector is creating the jobs of today and tomorrow, yet too many American students do not have the necessary skills to fill them. I look forward to continuing our working with our HBCU partners and the tech industry as we continue to press for racial parity in the tech industry."

"I am looking forward to the Congressional Bipartisan HBCU Caucus' second annual HBCU Diversity in Tech Summit," said Congressman A. Donald McEachin. "As a member of the Caucus and an alumnus of Virginia Union University, I know how important it is that we tap into the talent of HBCU students and alumni to diversify and strengthen the tech industry's workforce. I am excited to welcome Virginia State University from the Commonwealth's Fourth Congressional District to this important partnership summit."

"A representative and diverse workforce is critical to the success of companies, strength of communities, and vibrancy of the U.S. tech sector." said Jason Oxman, President and CEO of ITI. "It is incumbent upon the tech industry, policymakers, and educators to work together and activate strategies to ensure we are leveraging the talent of individuals from all backgrounds and experiences throughout tech. HBCUs are an essential part of this effort. We thank Rep. Adams, Dr. Frederick, and the entire HBCU caucus and community for hosting this important dialogue. Our industry is committed to turning the ideas discussed today into real and meaningful action."

Participating Schools & HBCU Advocacy Groups: Howard University, Florida A&M University, Fayetteville State University, Morehouse College , Bowie State University, Thurgood Marshall College Fund, Spelman College, North Carolina A&T State University, Bennett College, Central State University, Morgan State University, Barber-Scotia College, Shaw University, Fort Valley State University, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, West Virginia State University, Tennessee State University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Alcorn State University, Livingstone College, Norfolk State University, Kentucky State University, Benedict College, Prairie View A&M University, Xavier University of Louisiana, Tuskegee University, Tougaloo College Research and Development Foundation, Saint Augustine's University, Hampton University, Texas Southern University, Lane College, Claflin University, Virginia State University, Jackson State University

Participating Companies: Wells Fargo, eBay Inc., DTCC, ITI, IBM (Global Markets), Federal Street Strategies, Rocket Mortgage by Quicken Loans, Overland-Tandberg, FICO, Microsoft, TSYS, SIFMA, Nielsen, Pandora + SiriusXM, Amazon, Uber Technologies Inc., Airbnb, Allstate Insurance Company, Intel Corporation, Twitter, Covington & Burling LLP, SAS Institute, Spotify, SAP AMERICA INC., HP Inc., PayPal Inc., McGuireWoods Consulting, Unum Group, Lyft, Advanced Micro Devices, Allscripts, Amazon (Student Programs) (Web Services), Zillow Group, Verizon Media, CTA, VISA, Adobe, AMD, McDonald's Corporation, Facebook, AnitaB.org, NCC, Stewart Strategies & Solutions, Twilio, GlaxoSmithKline, Grant Thornton LLP, General Motors Financial, Depository Trust & Clearing Corp

Members of the Congressional Bipartisan HBCU Caucus:Rep. Alma Adams (D-NC) Rep. Bradley Byrne (R-AL), Sen. Doug Jones (D-AL), Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC), Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE), Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE), Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA), Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA), Sen. David Perdue (R-GA), Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC), Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA),Rep. Terri Sewell (D-AL), Rep. French Hill (R-AR), Rep. Marc Veasey (D-TX), Rep. Mark Walker (R-NC),Rep. Colin Allred (D-TX), Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA), Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-OH), Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA), Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-GA) Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Rep. Mo Brooks (R-AL), Rep. Anthony Brown (D-MD), Rep. Ted Budd (R-NC), Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D-NC), Rep. André Carson (D-IN), Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Rep. William Lacy Clay (D-MO), Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO), Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-SC), Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA), Rep. Jim Cooper (D-TN), Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD), Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL), Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Rep. Dwight Evans (D-PA), Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN), Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-OH) Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-FL), Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT), Rep. Eleanor Holmes-Norton (D-DC), Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC), Rep. Will Hurd (R-TX), Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA), Rep. Trent Kelly (R-MS), Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), Rep. Peter King (R-NY), Rep. Brenda Lawrence (D-MI), Rep. Al Lawson (D-FL), Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA), Rep. John Lewis (D-GA), Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA), Rep. Alan Lowenthal (D-CA), Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO), Rep. Elaine Luria (D-VA), Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN), Rep. Donald McEachin (D-VA), Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA), Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ), Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN), Rep. Stacey Plaskett (D-VI), Rep. David Price (D-NC), Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-LA), Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA) Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA), Rep. David Scott (D-GA), Eric Swalwell (D-CA), Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS), Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Rep. David Trone (D-MD), Rep. Michael Turner (R-OH), Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-AR), Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-FL)

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